I support the Cool Aid proposal to convert the Mount Edwards Court building into supportive housing.
My mother was a resident at Mount Edwards for the last five years of her life, and I am very familiar with the building. It has a lovely, enclosed park-like courtyard as well as a large patio and enclosed garden on the far side of the building and common areas inside.
Despite the presence of the school, I never saw children coming or going, or any evidence of them during visits at all hours of the day. In fact, the area across the street adjacent to Mount Edwards is a towering rock wall with a driveway entrance further up the block.
My sister worked providing meal service at one of Cool Aid’s other supportive-living facilities. She tells me that the clients were polite and friendly, and she never saw any untoward behaviour there.
The current homeless tent city at the courthouse is directly across from the cathedral. In addition, the graveyard across Rockland Avenue from the cathedral is a frequent gathering place for the homeless.
To suggest that Cool Aid will draw more such people into the area is ludicrous. If anything, it will get some of them off the street and into a situation where they can make positive changes in their lives.
Elizabeth Parfitt
Port Alberni
